S 635 
Z9 
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opy 1 



AGON GRAB-ALL. 



VS. 



'MS] 



NATHAN BROWN; 

OK, 

I 

I THE WAR BETWEEN < CAPITAL 
AND I. \B01I ENDED. 



A SERIO-COMIC DRAMA. 

IN THREE ACTS. 



HyJ. tl. Curry, Ksq. 



J. H. CURRY, ESQ. 

Iu th(^ Office x)f the Libniriaii of Congio.ss, al Washi; p^i'm. 

[all rights keserved by the author.) 



FORT MYERS, FLA. 
ROSE A- SELBY, PUBLISHERS, 

1896.. 






DEACON GRAB-AT.L, 

V5S. 

NATHAN BROWN: 

OK, 

THE WAR BETWEEN CAPITAI 
AND LABOR ENDED. 



A SERIO-COMIC DRAMA. 

(N THREE ACTS. 



BvJ. H. C\iinv, K»q. 

1/ 



4 



EuteiMHi acooidius- Lo Act of Conirress, iu the year Is'Mi. l»y 

J. H. CURRV% ESQ.-^. 
Iu tho Office of the Libiariau of Congress, Hit Washi: ^t;»ii. 

iALL KIOHTS RESERVED BY THE AUTHOR. [ 



FORT MYERS, FLA. 
ROSE & SELBY, PUBLISHERS, 

1896. 

a 



4 



TMP92-009004 



NATHAN BKOWN,-APo()r Cobbler. 

DEACON GK.^B-ALL,-B,•^t!ker and Alanula. tuvor. 

(^OL. GOLDSMITH.- -Capitalist and Manufactiii-er. 

SQLURE NEEDHAM, -Attorney lor Grab-all. Goklsmitb A 
Conipauy. 

•JULIUS BEOWN. Only son of Nathan Brown 

ME. JOHNSON. -Sheriff 

EPHRIAM MrDUGAL,-^ An UiifortuuHte Outcast. 

M..EY BEOWN. -VvitV of Nathan Brown 

NORA BROWN, Daughter of Nathan Bi'own 

MAGGIE GRABALL. Daughter of Deacon Grab-all. 

TILLY MALLOY, An I'ish SorvaiU 



DEA(X)N GRAB-ALL, 

vs. 
NATHAN BROWN. 

A<;'r I. -SCENE I. 

{Nathan Brown, the 0>bblfr, in hiy ><hop, mending sh.oi'».\ 
Brown. .> » 

"Well, hero it is a^aiii ; Mary its dead bent oli seadin^ Julius 
ti) Colleg-e How the duece she will u'lariage it, ^ets ahead of me. 
but womeu aie iiiiirhty determined ci'eature.s when the.\' tal^e a 
notion to do anything Yes, Mary is mighty proud too; she's 
got blue blood in her veins, always talking about position, socie- 
ty and so on. Well, she ean't help it. for she came from awful 
stu('k-u{) stock; and how she ever got stuck on a poor impecuni- 
ous cuss like me, always has l>een a 'ouundrum, but God bless 
her, she is a darling and has never gone back on tier choic-\ 
(f^nter Mary Brown with a lettn- in her hand.) 



•2 DEACON GRABALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 

Maru B. 

•'Nathan, what do you ivckou, I received a letter from Broth- 
er John toda^'. and he 

Brown. 

"Notbiu^ strange about that, you and John are al\va\-s writ- 
ing- to each other about some fool scheme oi' other. 
Mary B. 

"But Nathan, wait until I tell you about it. He writes me 
that he wants Julius to -ome to Boston and live with him, go to 
school and stay in his offi.M* and i-ead law. 
Brown. 

"How in the thunder does he expect us to send Julius to 
Boston, when we hav'nt got itioney enough to live on a week 
ahead, say nothing of the debts we owe and can't pay? 
Mary Brown. 

"But Nathan, you won't wait until I liuish he sends in this 
letter a chc' k for one hundred dollars to fix Julius up and to pay 
his expenses to Boston. He says that when he comes he will bear 
al! his expenses for four years. Oh! how good brother John is. 
Brown : 

•■But Mary this is a reflection on your husband. You know, I 
have never yet asked one of your blue-blooded, rich relations to 
help me one cent, and I never shall, as Umg as I can drive a peg. 
( Kvcitedly strikes his last with hammer). 
Mary B: 

"N(\ no, Nathan. You don't understand brother John ; he never 
meant any reflection at all; you know John never did ob,iect to 
you, he was always jour friend He ju.st means to do us a kind- 



DEACON GRABALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 3. 

ness. Aud he has uo family, b<uii^ au old bachelor, and h^ wants 
Julius for company too 
Broivn : 

"Ah. Yes you know how to fix it up; I admit that John is the 
best one of the whole lot of your kinfolks, I mean not to include 
the feminine portion of the family, tor I never have anything to 
say reflecting on womankind Tiuc euou^'-h, John was the only 
on(» who did not raise purgatory when I stole you fi-oui the affec- 
tionate embtJices of your lo\in^-, devoted famih-, but- 
Mary B : 

■'Now Nathan, I have never heard you before this, speak un- 
kindly of ray people, and you know I bave been all that a wife 
could be to you 
Brown : 

"Yes, Mary, that is so, foig-ive me, I never meant anything- to 
hurt you; but dai-Hng-, do you know wc are hopelessly in debt, 
and that in fact old Deacon Orab-all owns evervthing I've gotV 
Why, uo longer thaj this morning, I went to Squire Needhams' 
law office and gave a bill-of-sale, besides that infernal mortgage, 
to all our little personal t^ffects. He has a claim now on the old 
gray mare, both ■■ows, the pigs, ard blast me, he woe'd have put 
vou and Julius in the bunch, if he could have sold you for fifteen 
cents a piece. And the idea of sending Julius off to Boston to go 
to College, in the fix we are, is absurdly ridiculous. 

{Mary Brown weepn). 
(F.nter Jutiu'^). 



i DEAOON GRAB ALL vs. NATHAN BROWN 

Julius B : 

"Why, mother, what is the matter? 
Mary B . 

"Jiilius, my boy, I have just received a letter from your Vn -le 
Johu at Bostou, and — 
JuliuH B : 

"Does a letter from Llncle John make you cry? 
Mary B : 

"That is not it, he sent me one hundred dollars. 
Julius B : 

•'And this makes you cry? Suppose he had sent a thousand : 
tfuess you would have died on the spot. 
Mary B : 

"Oh, Julius, you wont wait until I explain; he wants you to 
come to Boston, go to college, live with him. stay in his offli-e an(i 

be a lawyer and 

JuliUH B : '-'^ 

"Must think I am a stunner. 
Mary B. 

"But. Julius, your father thinks we are too pooi-; and we are 
so much in debt. He thinks you ougfht to stay and help him in 
^.he shop. 
Brown. 

"Now Mary. I never said a word about Julius' working in the 
shoD. 



1 )EACON GRABALL VS. N ATH A N BROWN 5 

Julius I' : 

"I ttiink tathor in about right. The idea of me trotting: off to 
Bostou and leave you and father and sister^ Nora, here, living 
and working like slaves in your poverty, th at wont do hiother. 
Marjj B. 

'•But, Julius, your Uncle is to bear all expenses; he sent this 
hundred dollars t'(>r that purpose. 
JuliuH B : 

•'Thexi, Mother, as ITn-lo John is so graeious, just let him lend 
me the hundred dollars, and 1 will pay old Deu.'ou (.Trab-ail his 
debt, and slay here and hell* lathtn- in the shop and pay back 
Uncle John in a year or two. 
Alary B: 

'*Bui-, Julius, your L'nele wauls \'«)U bo be educated, titt^ to 
succeed in life, to take a position iu society; he is ambitious, and 
prouU of you; it ia so gtK)d in him lo do this. 
Bfoijcn : 

"Yes. Julius, your Mother and Uncle John are right. I don't 
want you to be as I am, a veritable slave all your life The smell 
of Uwither is a very obnr)xious odor to the deli^-ate oU'actories of 
these xrwa'i^i/ folks; ar.ti you might not be as hirky as your old 
daddy wa,s in getting a blue-bkKxled girl for a wife, with the dirt 
and dust of manual labor, and the smell of the shop on your 
clothes. 
Mary B : 

"Now, Nalhao, it is nr>t that at all; y»u are just as good and 



6 DEACON GRAB ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 

noble as Deacou Grab-all, Colonel Goldsmith or anj-body e.l^e, but 

then you know 

Juliu» B: 

"That the old Deacon has got a mightv charming daughter, 
and mother has a charming son. This daughter might not ap- 
preciate the delicious aroma of cow-hides, goat -skins, tan-yards 
and so forth, ha ! ha ! 
Brown : 

'"J'his does settle it; Julius, you ar*^ going to Boston, and they 
can make leather out of my old hide if you don't stay there and 
get tixed up for a gentleman. I will work my nails off if neces- 
sary, and support this domestic institution and pay off old 
Deacon Grab-all besides. I mean with Mary's help, for she is a 
sorter of.a saving clause in our domestic economy and never does 
know when she is tired. 
Juliutt B : 

"No. father, this is not right ; I had rather stay here and help 
you out of your trouble. I am not ashamed of our trade The 
best iiian that ever lived or earth was a carpenter. The smell of 
the shop on the garments of an honest man is as sweet as holy 
incense that goes up to heaven before the altar, and the dust- 
stained garments of the true toiler are as beautiful in heaven's 
sight as the stainless raiment of Celestial light that enrobes the 
angels. 
Brown : 

"Now, I know you arc going to Boston. That speech does not 



DEACON GRAB ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 7 

fit the mouth of a eotiinion cobldei"; that's some of the outerop- 
piu^8 of that mother of yours. Boys always take after their 
mothers; all great men have great mothers. 
Mary B : 

"Nathan, you always turn everything into burlesque; you 
ought not to talk this whv. 
Brown : 

"Well, oM gal I iiiean it. give me a grip; Julius, get ready tt» 
start for Boston by to-morrow. Go and tell Nora about it. and 
fix up lively 

(Kxit Julius). [Brown i-arcHHes hi» wife). (JidtUH returns immedi- 
ately). 
Julius B : 

"Father, Deacon Grab-all is before the door in his carriage 
and says he wants to see you. 
Brown : 

"Tell him to come in, I am too busy now to go into the street 
{h^.xit Julius). 
Mary B : 

"Nathan, you are not busy, not doing anything. 
Brown : 

"Not doing anythiug? Don't call this loving and caressing a 
wife doing anything? You used to think it was something when 
we would steal out in the woods before we united our destinies 
Mary B. 

"Nathan, you ought to be ashamed 



8. DEA(50N GRAB ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 

hrown : 

"What! ashamed of kissing you? Why, you usf^d to De the 
oQe that Io(»ke(i mighty shamed; but there is the deaeou. {knocks.) 
Brown : 

"Conie ill. 

( Knfer Deacon Grab all). 
Brown : 

"(iood moruing. Deacon, will you have a seat on the stool. 
Deacon Grab all. 

"No thank you, sir; I came around to see ahout that littlo 
matter between us; have you seen Squire Needham. to-day? 
Brown : 

"O. Yes I went to the Squire's office this morning- and signed 
.some sort of a do-ument ns further security for what I owe you. 
Dpacon Grab-all: 

"I am glad yni did. I shall see Squire Xeedham aiso about 
it. tBt'Oins to refirc). 
Brown . ( Infroducuig him to his wife). 

•' Deacon (Trnb-all this is my wife. (They grecJ). 
Marn H : 

"I think I once had the pleasure of meeting you a gof)d many 
years ago in Baltimoic, when you were working for my father in 
the bank. 
Deacon Grab-all : 

"O, Yes. I recall with pleasure those days, and the memory uf 
your father; and I have often thought srrange how things often 



DEACON GRABALL YS. NATHAN BROWN 9 

happen so c'ontrary to all our expectations 
Mary B : 

"Yes, life is madr> up of surprises; sometimes they are very 
grievous and dieappointiii^, and often they are very agreeable 
and delightful 
Deacon U rob-all: 

"True enough. I bid you yood-day. 

(Kxit Deacon Grab-all). 
Brown: 

"Well. Mary, I'llsliut up shop, Jind we will go home and get 
things in shape foi- Julius' det>arture, besides I don't fe.>I like 
working any more to-day. We will spend the balan<'e of our 
time, until our boy leaves, with the children 'J his may be the 
last day we all shall i>e together. And Mary, life is getting *,o be 
a mighty serious business with us poor people: I sometimes lose 
courage, when I see how the poor are oppress* 'd by the rich. 
Mary B: 

"But, Nathan, you ai-e too prone to look on the dark side, it 
will all come right, in the end. The darkest time is .just before 
the dawn, you know. 
Brown : 

"Then, it must be mighty near broad day-light by this time, 
but God bless you, dailiug; a true wife is the inspiration of a 
poor, cowardly cuss of a husband anyhow. 

"Now for a forgetting of our sorrows and a hoping lor bright- 
<M- days; Mary, if you will sing one of your sweet songs of the 



I'l DEACON GRAB ALL VS. NATHAN BRO WN 

olden time it will penetrate my v.Ty g:i/>zarci and .^heer me up im 
mensely ; what say you? 
\taru B : 

"Well, Nathan, you must help me and we will sin^r that littl" 
sonj^r you wrote for us when wp left our home in Baltimore and 
eanie to Alabama and were mairied 

(They sing the song as folloivs). 

No tongue can express the emotion 

I feel when I think of the time 
Wh swore to t^ach other devotion - 

A 'onstaucy. true and suhlime 

CHORUS. 

As pure as the stars up in heaven. 
Our vows we then sealed with a kiss ; 

The angels were watching, and even 
They shared in our Eden of bliss; 

The angels i'v)rgave us, and even 
They shared in our Eden of bliss 

There -atn" not a cloudlet Rt moi iiing 

To darken our beautiful sky : 
The sun of our love at its dawning 

We hailed with a rapturous '-i-y (<'liorusi, 

There crept in our hearts not a sorrow- 

Not even a shadow was cast ; 
Our hopos they were bright <^f to-morrow, 

We dreamed that they ever would uist. (. 'horus) 

As rivers rush down to the sea, 
And are lost beneath the dark wave, 

So i-unneth in sorrow or glee, 
Our livesto the^pitiless grave ,i( lu:)rus) 



vesto the^pitiless grave M lu)rui 

Jilt Gio^ V cr yfift . 

ACTl;S'^NEn *" 



(Nathan Broivn's shop. Enter Julius). 
Juliius B : 

"It's now ueai'ly six o'.'lock --md I haven't got any answer \et 
I w mder if that fool Eph didn't get my note to Maggie I cer- 
tainly <'an depend on Eph, 



DEACON GRAB ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 11 

(^7p/^ comes up excitedly), 
hJph : 

"Well, you can. Mr. Julius, depend ou Eph every rime, [tlandfi 
note to Julius) Golly. I had a time of a, getting that note. I fell 
over the wall right cawhalloping in the briar patch andh)st about 
two yards of hide; and while I was a lying theie I heard tlie old 
DeaL'ou a coming, blowing like a por -upine. Golly, I thought h<> 
had me, and Maggie squatted down beside the wall jest like a lit- 
tle chick when a hawk squeals around. 
Julius B : 

"Btilly for you, Eph. I'll send you something ni -e from Bos- 
ton. {Heads letter). 
h'ph : 

What does the Gal say, M r. Julius; is she coming? 
Julius : 

Never mmd, you .-an go now ( hJxit Kph) Yes, here is her 
note; "DcDend on me; will be there by six o' -lock, or pretty soon 
after, but I must be very careful, my conscience hurts me, any- 
how; but as you are going off to Boston, perhaps forever, I will 
agree to the meeting. Maggie." Yes, I knew I could certainly 
dep<md on Maggie But suppose her father should catch on to 
our racket, aMl I^n afraid he has, wouldn't he go for Maggie, and 
blow me up ! But I must see her before I leave for Boston Why 
don't she come ! But hark. I hear her now. What musi • in the 
sound of her footsteps. Ha! ha! that is her sure. (hMter Maggie. 
She and Julius greet each other). I knew you would -ome, my 
darling, give me vuie sweet kiss. 



12 DEACON GRABALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 

Maggie : 

No. no-, Julius, uot that; it is not ri<rbt; besides. I feel that I 
am (l')ing: wroii*? to secietly meet you here this way A girl 
should never k<'eD secrets from her i)arents. What would you 
think of your sister, Nora, stealing- off like this to meet some 
fjeutleman friend? 
Julius : 

If Nora had a ri^-h old daddy who wouldn't let her see her 
sweetheart Just because he was poor, and her sweetheart was 
honorable, and loved her. I would vote against the old man and in 
favor of Nora But we are not dis<ussin8- Nora and her lover now. 
Maggie : 

Ah, yes, you see how it seems when others do as we are doing; 
but then, Julius, I hear that you are jroing to leave for Boston, 
and I have but a few moments to stay; I just -a me to tell you 
gocd-bye— we nuiy never see each other again. 
Julius : 

Yes, Maggie, we shall see ea'^h other again, and this is why 
I wanted especially to se<; you now. to pledge anew and forever, 
my love foi* you, to swear again that uot another girl shall ever 
bave a place in my heai t. And, Maggie, I want you to promise, 
let come what may. you will be true to me. and when you can, 
>ou will be my "own, my darling wife 
Maggie : 

Oh, Julius; but, Julius, this is not right 
Julius : 

Maggie, don't you love me? Do you reject me simply because 



DEACON GRABALL VB. NATHAN BROWN 13 

I am the son of a. poor cobblor, and you the dau^^hter of a banker 
and a niillionaireV 1 shall not always bo poor, despised, impe- 
cunious 
Maggie : 

Hush, Julius; You liuow it is not that. I could not think more 
of you if you had a hundred million; it is not money that makes 
the man. The truest wealtb is honor, uu«l he who possesses a 
noble, f^euerous In^arl, is as hi^h above the avariei»His money 
lover as the stars are above the earth Y<'S, Julius, I will promise 
to be faithful to my vows, and when you think the time has eome 

that I can make you a (He takes her hands a,ffectionately and 

kisses them). But Julius I must go, it is getting late. My father 
will put me on the witness stand and cross-questicm about my ab- 
bence, and ho might get me rathel" ex<*iled 
Julius : 

I (<ught to be there to d(?fend you 1 am going to be a lawyer 
mjseif, But, then, tell me before wo part that nothing this side 
<^)f heaven shah sepai-ate us here on earth? 
Maggie : 

I promise, Julius, and hwo in this loeket you will find the 
pledge of my affe;-tion; but. good-bye I thought I beard some- 
one th«n-e. (Maggie run» off like a frolicking school-girl, and Julius 
retires rather melancholy). 

(This meeting is observed by the old cobbler and his wife, unbe- 
known to Julius and Maggie) 



U DEACON GRABALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 

ACT 1 ; SCENE III 
(In Ijiiwyer Xeedham's office. Squire Xtedham fiitfijig at /ii.s desk, 
Holiloquising). 
Squire Needham : 

Well, 1 ^'uess I have «:ot the thiu^ fixed up now, to suit the 
old Dea'jon. but ujue but the Lord or t!ie devil caii tell, for he is 
the toughest old coderer for a client I have had to do with yet. 
How I hate to have to eourt and flatter the old villian;ibut its- 
business and a meat-and-brcad question too. I am not astonished 
tnat the common run of folks are rather skeptical on the question 
of lawyers inheriting the fiist places in the kingdom. My con- 
science is cursing me now for persecuting poor old Brown ; dog- 
ging the life out of him for the sake of a few dollars to rattle in 
the vaults of this old miser, who could afford to give Brown forty 
times this much and not miss it, but business is business. {Knock 
onthtdoor). Con>e in 

{Sora enters). 
Needham : 

Why. ^Jiss Nora, glad to see you; it is not every day a la w- 
y<ir's offi:\- is honored by such fair clients. 
JSJora : 

But, Mr. Needham, I came to engage your services, not as my 
lavyer, but for brother Julius; he wants you to carry this not« 
anil package to Miss Maggie Grab-all. 
Needham : 

Ha ! ha ! I see : Julius and Miss Maggie are having a little ro- 
mantic courtship on the sly, and they have selected me to help in 



DEACON GRAB ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 15 

the scheme, have theyV 
Nora : 

Yes, that is about the size of It, but it is ri<lieulous; the i<lea 
of Julius aspiring- to win Mis^. Maggie; he, a poor eobbler's son ; 
she, the only dau^hlc^r of a sreat banker ! 
Needham : 

Ah, Miss Nora , t hat makes no diflfereneo . Banker's dauofhter. 
(gobbler's daughter, or anybody's daughter; she s mother Eve's 
daughter 
Nora : 

It may be that you do not know as much about the daufj:hters 
of niothef Eve as you do about your law business. 
Needham : 

That may be true, but I know that she is a woman, and has a 
woman's heart, and I know that you have, too. And, Miss Nora, 

I have been waiting? a long time t'"^ tell you 

Nora : 

Mr. Needham, what about biothtu' Julius's messag(>V 
Needham : 

I'll attend to that, but I have a message for you. 
Nora : 

I hear someone coming, I must go. Good morning. 
(Kxit Nora, hurriedly, leaving her handkerchief and a hunch of 
flowers on the desk, and Ncedhayn looking non-plussed). 

(Knock on the door) 
Needham : 

Come in. 



16 DEACON GRABALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 

( l^nter Deacon Grab-all). 
Deacon Grah-all : 

Good morning, Squire, how are you pn^^TessiLig with our. 
little mattei- with neighbor Brown. 
Needham : 

I think, Dea ou, I nave ^ot the papers fixed up a.-eordiu^ to 
Ho vie, and vou an stick it to him whenever you want to. 
Peacon Grab-all 

I don't think, Squire, that Hoyle is ^'ood authojity in law; in 
tVivt, I don't like that expression anyway; it smacks of gamiuj?, 
and you know that my position in so-'iety and the churih, ue.es- 
sitates my strong disapprobation of anything: tending? to leading 
young men from the paths of morality and virtue; and I am ex- 
tremely sorry to hear you use s ) glibly and familiarly such 
torms; it indicates a taste f(n-, i^ not an indulgence in, the iniqui- 
tous habit of gaming. You know one of my rules is never to have 
a y(.ung man who ever smok(^s. chews toba 'CO, indulges in alco 
holic stimulants, v)r plays at cards. 
i\ecdham : 

Yi'S, Dea^-op, I am aware of your strict notions on this subject 
and have often heard your lectures at the church to the young 
people, but tnen there might be some things as bad, if not worse 
than a little indulgence now and then in a game of I'ards 

Deacon G : 

No, sir; it is iniquitous, and I say again I am sorry to hear 
you talk as if you were familiar with su -h wickedness 
Needham : 

All Vigiit tnen, Dea-on, I apologize and say that the papers 
are tixed up a^-cording to due process of law, and I repeat, you can 
stick it to old Brown whenever vou want to. 



DEA JON GRAB-ALL VS NATHAN BROWN 1? 

Deacon G : 

I think I ought to go for this old rascal, he has been owing me 
this seveutv-flve dollars nigh onto two years. 

Needham: 

But, Deacon, you forget that Brown has paid you about tif- 
teen dollars interest, ami he has had very bad luck too. with sick- 
ness and Doctor's bills to pay, he has been put to it to make a 
living. 

Deacon (i : 

Don't talk to me about bad luck and his being put to it; why. 
sir, he has actually sent that son of his to Boston, to'College. 
using the money that justly belonged to me; it is outrageous, a 
shame, 

Needham : 

But, D«»acon, I understand that it was some relative that sent 
his mother the nu^ney to pay the boy's expcMises to College 

Deacon G: 

It makes no difference, it is ridiculous; Brown ought to keep 
that boy at home to help him work to pay his debts. Sending 
him off to College, indeed ! I never saw a College ; I worked w^en 
I was a boy for five dollars a month and board. I never got an 
education but I made a living and was ne-er a dependent pauper 
on the chaiities of friends. But, let me see the papers; did Brown 
sign them up cheerfully? 

Needham : 

Not so "heerfuUy, as resignedly; you know it is not such a 
cheerful performance for a fellow to sign away all he has,. But 
then, he made no objection and said, ho desired to pay the debt as 
soon as possible , . _ , 

Deacon G: • 

What do you call the paoer he signed this time. Squire? 

Needham : 

It is a bill of sale, just as you told me to fix up, a surrender of 
all rights, title and interest whatsoever in the old gray mare, the 
Jersey cow and calf, twobrindle steers, six head of swine, consist- 
ing of the mother, the brothers' and sisters of the Berkshire 
breed 



A'*^',; 



18 DEA ON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BEOWN 

Deacon G : 

All ri^lit ; do you think the property is worth tiie debt? 

Need/mm : 

Worth the debt! Why, that Jersey coav alone is worth your 
claim,, sav uothin^ of the other onttle, th(> horse, hogs, etc. 

Deacon (V : 

Now Squii-e, 8ut)|>ose you go and see Brown and explain to 
him ihat I have a legal i-ight to his, property, but that I dislike to 
press him, but that I am williog to compromise, if he will turn 
over tA) me the Jersey cow and calf, and the oxen and horse, I wil^ 
liot require the hogs, l^his will save too, the expense of a law- 
suit. 

Needham : 

Mr. Grab-all, I prefei- not to do this, law willing to do the 
legitimate work oi an attorney, but 1 can't go and look Brown in 
the fa"e and pursuade him to do this. The fact is, I feel like a 
crjmiua'l anyhow in getting him to sign this bill-of-sale. I think 
you ought to go yourself and see Brown ; and perhaps, you and 
he might adjust matters mutually satisf actor ih' 

Deacon G : 

Now, Squire Needham, you are a young man and have not 
established any legal rer)Utation here yet, in our town, and you 
know you are dependent on getting business to make a living as 
well as a reputation: and you further know that I am able to 
thiow more business in your way than any other man in town 
So I think you sliould not be so qui(;k to refuse my requests. 

Needham : 

But Deacon, you certainly would'' not desire me to do some- 
thing I thought was not tor your inteiest; and I am '-ertain you 
could succeed better than I, with Brown. I must decline to go on 
this errand. 

Deacon G '. 

Very well then, but remember my warning. Any how, bring 
suit at once. Replevy the |)roperty. I will claim all m> legal 
rights 

(hJxit Deacon). 



DEA ON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 



Seedham ; 

Oh my! How I wisb i could afford to collar that old cuss and 
cxodise him down tuo .stairs. But theu. the old coou docs pay 
my rents and grocery bills What a slave is a poor imp(>cunious 
lawyer ! What a tvranny he must endui-e ! Here, I am for.-ed to 
do this dirty business, but in a legal way, for that old white- 
washed Phari.see. But then the cards change sometimes, and we 
have a i-un of luck, ha! ha! and when a lawyer uoes get the ad- 
vantage how he I'an use it; when he gets the grip on a tellowhow 
he can squeeze, squeeze him; just wait, I can teel the old Deacon 
now oozing througn my tender pi'essure; ha! ha! such is life, let 
the wheel tui-n; we will be on top after awhile. 

Hph : 

Hello, Squire, what is the matter with you and Uncle Grab-allV 

Seedham : 

How% is h»> your Uncle V 

/t/'p/i : 

He's mother's brother, so they say. After father di-'d he run 
father's business until he got the money, so I have heard my 
mother say. Mother didn't live long after that. She used to 
look mighty sad. I've seen her cry sometimes. 1 guess may be 
that hurt her I was a chap then, ten or twelve years old. but 
I remember that morning when he drove me off and knocked me 
in the head. It hurts me vet sometimes and things look mightv 
(Hirious and both«'rsome from what they used to look. 

Needharn : 

How camo you at Nathan Brown's. Eph? 

I^Jph : 

1 didn't hav<? any place to stay and I met old Mr Brown one 
<iay on the street and he told me to come up to his house. I went 
there and they jest told me to stav, and I stayed. 

Needharn : 

Tbey are good people, Eph, and are tmating you kindly 

hJfh : 

Thpv are, for Ji fact. I've got to go now to h'dp them about 



20 DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 



th(> work, and it's j^etting mighty uear rUuuer time, too (.bYar^s' 
to go hut sees hanakerchief ami flowers on desk) Ha! ha! Mr. 
Squire, what's these here? Has Miss Nora been up here this 
moruing-V 

Needham : 

What tnaltas vou tliiuk so. Eph? 
h:ph: 

Golly, I Ivuows Miss Nora's haudkerchiet! See here, Mi-. 
Squire, here's her uame on it. And didn't I see her a g-ettiug- 
these fioAvers this morning-! I knowed something: was in her 
head. 

j\'e*'dham : 

Never mind that now. Here is a note that I want you to 
carry to Mr Jjrown's. 

hJph : 

All rig-ht, I'll take a note to Miss Nora, too, if you wiut me to. 

Needham : 

O, gro on, and rarry the note to Mr. Brown. ihJxit Kph), My 
God! Isn't this a reyelation; that poor unfortunate out -ast, the 
nephew of Grab-all His grreed broke a mother's heart and then 
ruined her child. And his own kin ! What villany! And now he 
poses in the g^arb of virtue! I will no long-er be a party to his 
oppression ! I will assert ray manhood ! In the name of humani- 
ty. I protest ! .\nd by the Gods, the wheel shaH turn ! 
iKxit Seedham excifedly). 

ACT I; SCENE IV. 

(At Xathan Broicn's house). 
(Sheriff' enters). 

Brown : 

Why, how flo you do, Sheriff Johos<m; g-lad to s«^e you Have 
a seat. 

Sheriff- : 

Thank yr>u, I have but little tim^' tn spar^v How are the 
oiks V— all well I suppose. 



DEA' ON GRAB-ALL Vh. N ATH IN BROWN 21 • 



Brown : 

Oh, yes, well as common; n )tbiu;^ to complain of ou that 
score, ex -ept Mary is not s j spry and strong lately as she mig lit 
be; she will work herself to death tiking^ in sewin* and washing?. 

Sheriff : 

I wouldn't allow her to do it, Brown. 

Brown : 

Well don't I protest, and fuss ab ut it, and out up the very 
old Harry? But nothing can stop her, she is doing this to ke^'p 
Julius at s 'hool; you know that boy is her pet, and she wants to 
make an educated gentleman out of Julius. I tell her she is 
working herself to death, that she is getting old before the time, 
turjows are coming into her dear face, but she thinks of her ab- 
sent boy, and goes right on bearing her burden as if it were light 
as a feather, ringing as cheerfully as that bird in the tree. Why, 
you would think, to see her, that not a care ever came into her 
sweet life. 

Sheriff. 

She is a noble wife, Br )\vti, and it means more than we men 
think to hnve su -h wives to help us poor fellows. 

Brown: 

Yes, she is a daisy darling. Sheriff; but she is not at home to- 
day, she took Nora and went over to Squire Needham's mother to 
do somt: sewing; that Needham family are mighty nice, cleve' 
folks, sheriff, Mary don't tell me, buc I catch on to things uow 
and then ; she takes Nora with her to old Mrs. Needham's, who is 
giving her lessons on the piano. Y(^u know M ry is mighty mu -h 
stu'di on the idea of educating the children: she is banking con- 
siderably on our daughter, Nora, as well as on Julius. 

Sheriff : 

Your dauyrhter is very intelligent and beautiful, Brown, and 
she ought to have all the advantages possible; she is fitted t-) 
shine someday as a star in society. 

Brown : 

But, Sheriff, she is simply the daughter of poor old Nathan 
Brown, the ^obbler, and this wdl keep her always in the back- 
ground. 



22. DEACO^ GRAB-ALL Vh. NATHAN BROWN 



No, Brown, that doesn't follow; but then I had almost forgot— 
1 have come to serve some papers on vou for Deacon Gi-ab-all. 
He says he has a bill-of-sale on your cows, the horse, hog-s, etc., 
and he has brought suit to get possession 

Brown : 

Well, Sheriff it is a fact, I did sign the document and I guess 
the Deacon has the legal daim on the whole thing, and if he 
pr.-sses his olaim and takes the property T car't help it, but'I.**ni 
a little surprised at the young Squire who got me to sign the 
paper. 

bheriff: 

But, Brown, you -an't blame the ; quiie; you know he is 
Dea xm Grab-all's lawyer and has to do whatever the old dea ;on 
says or lose his job 

Brown : 

Yes, yes, I see, that is all right I reckon, but I would hate to 
have to make mj-^ living a lawing for other folks, and yet Mary 
says our Julius is going to make a lawyer too, maybe so, but — 
weW. let it go. 

IShtriff: 

Brown, lawyers are not so bad as some folks imagine, and 
w^hen I tell you a secret it will change your opinion of lawyers. 
Squire Needham is your friend, and here is his fine gold w^atch 
and chain he left with me to get you the money to redeem ycnir 
property. ( With tears and considerable emotion Brown replies). 

Brown : 

But, Sheriff, this is not right in the Squire. I oan't a-cept his 
kind offer; in the first plaee, I cannot t'dl when I can ever repay 
him, and 1 might as well owe the Dei?on as the Squire; and then 
if the Deacon should find out that the Squire was befriendirg me 
this way he would go back on him and tal^e his business from 
him. No, no. Sheriff, I must not do this. 

Sheriff: 

But, Brown, you must accept this; the matter is all arranged ; 
I hold the watch and advance the money myself, go and pay the 



DEA(;0^ GRAB-ALL Vh. NATHAN BROWN 22 



Deaoou and ^et >'our [)roperty released, bow tortuaate y(ju aiv; 
and your wife don't know about tbis either. 
Brown : 

Yes, yes. it does look like a mi^^hty curious piece of ^oo<l 
fortune; it would have nearly killed Mary to have to ^ive up our 
property, esper^ially the 'ow, she is making us half (>ur living ; 
that old Jersey cow pays our rent and wood bill, Sheriff If we 
had to ^ivp her up we would have to send f o ■ Julius sure enougrh 
to come home and ^o to work, and this wi)nld sure break Mary's 
heart. 

Sheriff: 

Yes, Blown, you ou^ht to fef>l grateful to the Squire, he wants 
to see you cnie <>ut all right. 

Brown : 

I guess I <lo feel mighty grateful, Sheriff, and for Mary's sake 
Hsper-ially : she is a great girl, that wife is, she is always talking 
about signs and says a providential finger is in the business. I 
guess she would say the whole providential hand was in this 
affalT-; but I will go at once and settle with the Deacon and get 
ba-^k before Mary comes home. 

{l£xit Brown and the. Sheriff). 

ACT I; SCENE V. 
(Squire Needham's office. Deacon G . and the Squire engaged in 
conversation. Knock on the door). 

Needham : 
Come in 

[Brown and the Sheriff' eater) 

Brown, : 

I hope I am not intruding gentlemen, I will retire until you 
and the Deaeon are through. I 'went to the Deacon's offlc(^ and 
the clerk said probably I should find him here. 

'Seedham : 

Be seated. The Deacon and I are not so engaged that we 
can't postpone our matter foi- a short time; in fact we were dis- 
cussing that little affair between him and you. 

Brown : 

Well, Dea *on, I have come to make you as glad perhaps, as I 



24. DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 



am— I have 'ome to Day you thit flebt. (Offers him the money). 
I have not beeu uaniindful of this '.>l»li*('itioa, but I have been 
unable to pay you until this very day 

Deacon G : 

You don't owe me auything. Air. Brown, you settled that debt 
by a biIl-of-sa:e of your property; I took this in lieu of the debt 
and have ^iven orders to my attornety here t > havf the property 
turned over by the Sheriff to me. 

Brown : 

But, Deacon, to be sure I did ^ive you a bill-of-sale and I 
thought this was simply to be further security for the debt You 
know I have never failed to pay up the interest, and in advance, 
and I never counted (m this, only as security 

Deacon O : 

But, Mr Brr>wn, vou ou^^nt t<» know better than that; you are 
aware that I already held a mortgage and why should I want 
further security, wher I had this chattel mortgage? What sense 
would there be in my going to the expense of hiri.ig a lawyer to 
draw up these last papers, when I had ample securitj' ; it Was 
simply a bargain and sale to mv, of n'oui- property. 

Sheriff: 

But, Deecou, the property is worth considerably more than 
seventy-five dvoUars, and .\'ou would be the last man to claim 
more than was right. 

Deacon <i : 

Mr. SherilT, you are ueitaer juiige. jury uoi lawj'er in this 
trausa-^tion and will please observe that I have not sought any 
advice from you. 

Sheriff : 

Certainly sir, 1 undeistaud; I was simply making a sugges- 
tion I thought you would consider yourself very fortunate to 
get the seventy-five dollars and would not desin^ totake Brown's 
property. 

Deacon G : 

I need no suggestions, sir. You aie simply the Sheriff and 
are bound by the mandate of the court and I suppose you have 
been ordered to take and hold the got)ds and chattels of Brown, 



DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATH IN BROWN Ti 

subject to law, and it' you have disrejrarder} this order of the court 
there is a way to deal with offi -ers wh > are thus der«4iet iu their 
duty. Iran have you ruled f<n' misfeasan-e in office. 

Sheriff': 

I aui at your iiierey, Mr. (irab-all, ijut I will risk the coii.se- 
quences of your proceeding to have nie ruled. 

Deacon <i : 

Squire Needham. how is this? Did you not bring th<; suit to 
recover my property? Are not those cows, hogs, the hoi-se, e*:c.» 
my property by virtue of this bill-of-sale? 

Seedham : 

Yes, in one sense; but. I think. Deacon, vou shf)uld accept the 
seventy-ti\c dollars Brown tenders you, it is payment in full of 
all demands you hold against him.j 

/ beacon G : 

But, that is^jquibbling, Squire. Tell me if T am not the legal 
arid sole owner of this proD(M"ty d i-i"ribe 1 iu the bill-of-sale, and 
it so, have 1 n')t the right to tike p )ss^>ssion ')f mj'own? Answer 

me as a lawyer, not as a moralizer. 

Needham : 

Well, Deacon, your refusing to ac-zept this tender of the 
Mone>' places you at a gi-eat disadvantage and under the cii'cum- 
stances. you are wrong This bill-of-sale would be treated by the 
court as a nun^tgage and fore;-losure proceedings would be 
necessary. 

Deacon G : 

Then, sir, you aeceived me. You drew up the papers yourself. 
you led me to believe differently; you are wilfully or helnlessly 
ignorant; you have not respected the I'elations between <'lient 
and attorney. I am surprised, I am shocked sir, at your conduct. 

Aeedharn : 

Mr. Grcab-all, I have fully appre -latcd the relation existing 
between client and attorney, and I have arranged to get you your 
money; this is all any lawyer could do or any client should de- 
mand, 

DeaconG : 

Well, you can do as you please as my lawyer about accepting 



26 DEA('ON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 

the seventy-five dollars, Dut I will not pers;)aall3^ tlo it; theu re- 
nieniber I shall not pay one cent of cost conne-ted with this case 
nor a dime for attorney's fees. I will see you ai^ain about this 
and other ujatters 

( hjxits Deacon angry). 

Needham : 

Well. Brown, liere is a reetupt in full for the seventy-five dol- 
lars. {Nand» him rec?iDf). Tho Dea '(m will soon get over this, 
he is dyspeptic, you know, and ^t^ts off hisj; base sometimes, but 
he will be all smiles next Sunday at chur.'h 

Sheriff: 

Yes, his is a case cf pecuniary dyspepsia. afTe 'ts his heart in- 
stead of his liver He is tbc hardest, knottiest old cuss lever 
saw, and when tie dies the last tbiny: he will ever behold will be a 
vision of niortg-ages and bank-bills and the last thing he will hear 
will be the jiugliDg of the almighty dollar. 

Brown : 

No, no, Squire, I did owe him the moaev and wh«M» he loaned 
it to n)e it was a mighty great ace )mmodation tjo. That was 
nearly two years ago and I pro-i'.ised t ) p ly him in six or nine 
months; so you see he has been very obliging, and If he had 
taken my property I would not have gruml)led, but onlv felt bad 
for Mary's sake You know Mary is dead brMit on keeping Julius 
at school; but these are awful times Squire, and we poor people 
are the veriest slaves. You lawvers and merchants and spe -ula- 
tors don't know how we fellows a.vo put to it, kec^piug the wolf 
fiom tne door; but I am not complaitiing. I aui only thinking 
how strange it is to see things like they are 

Needham : 

But, Brown, you are all right now with the Dea'on. the debt 
is paid and it tnaybe, that things wdl chaug<' for the better before 
long. I admit that we are living in the midst of terrible times, 
but then we are living in free America. The do.-trines of individ- 
ual sovereignty, equal rights to all, special favors tt> none, are be- 
coming <'rystalized ideas in the minds of the tnasses; and this 
shall be the almighty idea to nerve the hearts of the common peo- 
ple, Itefore they shall he utterlj'' dominated by this vvould-be 
money tyranny, moie damnable than any slavery that ever 



DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATH\N BROWN 27 



cursf^d the earth. 

Brown : 

Why, Squii-e. you don't talk like a lavvyor or politician, you 
talk like one of our sort, I mean wecoiumon laboriui? pt^ople; but 
I love to hear you talk this way, Squire, and did you know it the 
common people are Deyriuninjif to think for themselve-;, as they 
never did before. They are bein^ educated on th(^se subjeits; ten 
men are reading- to-day where one was a few j-^ears a^o. Yes Si»', 
the massbs are bein*^ educated and intelii^euMi is beino: widely 
diffused. So ial, ecclesiastical, and political tyranny can only 
thrive where ignoran 'e abounds. Let th(> peopl<» be educated. 
Let iiitellif?enc(* rule and soon we shall hear the prelude to the an- 
them of victory ; we shall see the ffliut of the dawn ; the coming of 
the sun that shall dispel theprloom; Ave .shall hear the voice of 
American freedom like the voice of the Seven Thunders. This 
sound of arous >d America .^hall be like the trump that shall 
awake the dead; but. ha; ha; ha! I was about to forjjet the old 
Deacon and his seventy-five dollars. Here is a toast t> all men, 
and the Dea"on in particular, on the platform of the common 
brotherhoodjof humanity, I will see you ag^in to-morrow, orrnlh - 
men 

END OF AC r FIRST. 



•28 DEACON GKAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 

Aet Two, Scene One. 

I Deacon Grab-all's parlor, where he. Squire Needham, and Cot. 
Golds'mithJ,iscu88 the strike. Tilly Maloy, an Irish servant, seated 
at the piano, as Maggie, the Deacon's daughter, enters). 

Maggie : 

Tilly Maloy, what on earth are you doin^; I have b^en rin^- 
ug for you for the last five minutes ! 

Tilly : 

Indade, Mum, and 1 never heard a sound! 

Maggie : 

If you had been attending? to your duties as a s<n-vaut, you 
would have heard me. 

Tilly : 

I beg yout pardon, Mum. I was jist thrying to act the leddy 
a little while, to see how it would fale. 

Maggie : 

I have a note from papa; he will be here this evening with 
some gentlemen friends and he wants ■■*. luncheon prepared. 
Have the <'igars ready, and also that last t-ase of wine he sent up. 

Tilly: 

Thin, I suppose the P.MSon wont be aft<M- being here wid all 
that wine in sight? 

Maggie : 

Col. Goldsmith and Squire Needham will be here. 

Tilly: 

And I'll warrant that thev're coming to plot against the poor 
hard-working m^n, who can't git enough wages to buy bread for 
their ehilluns. 

Maggie : 

Tilly, you n)ust not speak so; you do not think that they 
mean the workingmen any harm, do youV 

Tilly : 

And sure I don't if keeping the poor strikei>i from earning a 
dacent living is no harm ! 



DEACON GRAB-ALL Vb. NATHAN BROWN 26 



Maggie : 

Is your- husband ouo of the stiikersV 

Tilly: 

Aud faith, you kuow he has beeu workiug for your father in 
the factory, aud it's uothin^ to be ashamed of, I'm sure^to be an 
honest vvorkiu^man. I kuow a chap that you'd h>ike to be your 
man some <lay. that don't bt^lon^ to tliese rich, stu*'k-up quality 
folks, aithei-. 

Maggie : 

Why, Tilly, what do you meair!* 

Tilly : 

Aud sure I meau that Julius Brown, aud a daeent fellow he is, 
too; you may be fooling your old daddy, but you am't a foolin. 
me. Oive seen Julius suaiking up behind the gaiden loike a 
thafe, and a getting them bits of papei- that you'd put there when 
no one was a seeing youl I knose how it is; 'taint been long 
'• iuce I've been a gal mesilf. 

Maggie : 

Hush, hush. I heal papa and the gentlemen coming now. 
( hjxit Maggie) . 

Tilly : 

And sure enough, there's the villiaus, mating to plot against 
the poor men aud me own Pat. The divil take the whole crew of 
them ! 

(bJxit Tilly), {hJnter Deacon Grab-alL Squire Needharn, and Col 
(ioldHTnith) 

Deacon U : 

Walk in, gentlemen, and be seated. 

Col. Goldamith and Squire Ntedham : 
Thank vou. with pleasure. 

Deacon G : ' , , 

Excuse me lor a moment. ( h'xils ana immediately returvH 

with cigars). Befor«> we get down to serious business suppose we 

enjoy the aroma of a delicious Havana? 

Goldsmith: 

Nothing more acceptable, I think it a good prelud(s (Smoke) 



:^) DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN 



■Deacun G : 

Well, ^eiitletneu. we are confronted with a set ions problem in 
this matter of the strike amon^ our workinj^meu ; ami ri^ht nt)w, 
on the eve of the election we cannot afford tt) ignore t.ie necessity 
of wise and immediate measures. I should like to have you. Col 
Goldsmith, express your views upon the situation. 

Goldfimith : 

Then, tiist. I should say in rey:ard to the strike now on, we 
should not show any signs of weakening or yielding t > this how 1- 
iLtg mob; the moie we jneld, the nure they h )wl. We must • ou- 
quer them by starvation. They cannot hold out against hungei- 
and will <'ome back winning and fawning like whipped curs. 

Deacon G : 

Wed, Colonel, I am not able to discuss this Question, uot hav- 
^ng been i»lessed with any great anjuit of education; but I 
believe that vour ideas c )iJC'^rning the sifc lation are about right, 
although it may uot b"^ policv for us to carry them out just at 
this time, on account of the election so near at hand; but here is 
our friend. Squire Needham, who is not only a student of Black- 
stone, but of everything else; I suggest that we hear fi-om him. 

Goldsmith : 

Yes, I readily yield to Squire Needham, I know that he is a 
stulaat of th > misters, Huxley, f jhn Sl^uirt. Mil, Ricardo, Adam 
Smith & Co. 1 believe Mr. Needham took the uuiversity prize on 
thf! subject of political economy. 

Xeedham : 

Well then, gentlemen, to uegin with, I tinnk you are too 
severe in your criti-ism^ of the strikers. There are some true 
and deserving men among the strikers, and it is pitiful to see so 
much distress accasioned, it may be, by the unwise enthusiastic 
leaders. Don't you think we might meet these strikers with the 
weapons of argument, pei'suasion and advi -e, and get their ear? 
We might ac 'ompiish more than we think. 

Goldf<mUh : 

Ah, Needham, I see that you entirely mistake these people 
They have tn/ieriYed their hatn"! and prejudice. They belong t» 
that class who are b;)rn with base pr )-livities an i ar.^ iiicapib' • 
of development. Tht-v d^-n )asti-it'^ th' 1 uv )f h tc lity. th^» 



DEACON GKAB-ALL vs. NATHAN BROWN. 31 

transmission of qualities of mind anta^ouisti" to tbt' law of 
progress. 

Needham : 

I most emphatically dissent from your views, CoIouhI. Thero 
never was a more unjust and hurtfu-l falla 'y than the proposition 
advanced by you, that the law of heredity ac.-ounts for indiyidu- 
al and ra-ial distinctions, that there is a horn aristocratic, domi- 
nant class who are the ordained masters; and that there is a born 
subservant class who are to wallow in the mire and li 'k tbe dust 
from the pati-ician's feet. All men are n'len, made by the same 
maker, out of the same material, in the same moulds. There is 
more material and bigger moulds in some than in others, to be 
sure, but this difference we see among men can be more rational- 
ly accounted for than on the theory of hert>dity. These unba|)py. 
uncultured wretches who are to-day striving and seeking for 
mere bread, are so by virtue of their surroundings, their environ- 
ments. They have been eowed and cursed and crowded out 
until nil theii- self-assertion is well niirh crushed out of them. 
Give these poor wret'hes the same adv^antages th<5ir more 
favored brethern en.ioy, for the next ireneration or two. and see 
where and how they shall stand. Take the children of these poor 
laborers, place them amidst the i-etiuing, developing surroundings 
you enjoy, take your children and force them to endures the pur- 
gatorial existence of these despised hirelings, and when forty 
years have passed you may witness a re[)etition of this same 
scene, ifemght, only re.versed: your children's children will be 
protesting against, it maybe, fan 'led wrongs, and their children 
will be despising and dis ussing the uure 'ognized demands of the 
eowed, crushed eursj 4f VOU tO^\ tX tVt\ . 

Goldsmith: 

Needham. you are a so 'ialist. if not an anarchist. Such views 
as 'you have exr)ressed, promulgated, would kindle the tires of a 
i-evolution In this country. You, sii", are strangely out of sym- 
pathy with the higher views of ouj' civilization. 

Needham : 

But. Colonel, our > ivilization is strangely out of sympathy 
with the higher view ot justice and fraternal fellowship. Over 
eighteen hundred years ago the mightv teacher of Nazareth pro- 
mulgated this hateful doctrine of socialism as you term it. He 
laid down the law of human progress along the line of human 



8-2 DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN. 

brotherhood. This philosophy was as repu^?nant to the aristo- 
cratic class iu his day as it is to this same class in our day. The 
h )astful, arrosraQt pharisee believed in the doctrine of heredity, 
a ad g-loried iu being the children of A braham. They scorned the 
t.arpeuter of Nazareth and saw the taint of vulgarity in his line 
oicou'luct. But he rose above their foremost teachers, and with 
a logic as ' )Qsuming as lightning he scattered into atoms their 
false egotistical philosophy. j^eneath their massive, rotten 
creed, that had evolved out of their gross misconception of hum- 
an relationship, and crystalized into a mighty hypocracy he 
placed the bomb of truth, and destroyed the colossal fabric for- 
ever. 

Goldsmith : 

But, Squire, vou are an enthusiast; crazy; you are not an ad- 
vocate of dynamite-bomb tnrowing are you? 

Xeedham : 

No, Sir, not iu that sense, but history repeats itself, and this 
nineteenth century is repeating itself in geometric ratio, and we 
ma>' be nearer than we dream to a revolution, not of lire, sword 
or dynamite, but a revolution of ideas born of a desire for human 
freedom . 

Deacon U : 

Well, gentlemen, we have drifted from the subject. I move 
we turn to the subject of the strike now on hand, and see if som e- 
thing can't be done. Business is stopped. Stagnation has set iu ; 
stagnation is death. I suggest that we deputize Squire Needhani 
a committe<? of one to confer with the strijjjiers and see if we can 
not agree upon terms. 

GokUmith: 

If Meedham should harangue that crowd of strikers as h(^ has 
us here to-nierht, he would raise the very devil, and things would 
be in a far worse condition than at present. 

Deacon G : 

I think we can risk sending Needham; if they will listen to 
f lybody it will be Needham. Remember, too, that the election is 
near at hand and we need these fellows' votes. 

Goldsmith : 

Ha ; ha ; Deacon. 1 see you are getting apprehensive about 
being elected to the Legislature. I think you are safe. Do you 



DEACON GRAB-ALL vs. NATHAN BROWN. 33 

think we are going to be beaten by this crowd? They have no 
money, no brains, nothing but gas. Their windv spealiers are 
trying to stir up Ji revolt but we can drive them like a flock of 
sheep. 

Deacon G : 

But, Colonel, you may be mistaken, these people are growing 
mighty independent, and are tired of being whipped into line 
They are reading and thinking for themselves as nev^er before. 

Qoldamith : 

Oh, yes. they are pratein^ind sQiieaking about monopolies 
combines, trusts, free trade. taA'iff. and so on. and they know 
about as mu"h on the.^e subjects as the Deacon here does about 
churi'h matters. 

Deacon G : 

You should not bring personal matters in this discussion. I 
confess that I am not an e^^clesiastical expert, but the preachers 
stand by me and this is a mighty solid backing in an emergenc>'. 
It requires a little pecuniary grease to keep Zion's wheels run- 
ning, as well as everything else, and the parsi.n must have his 
bread buttered. But to business. I insist on Squire N(M?dham 
going to confer with the strikers. 

Needham : 

Well gentlemen, if 1 a -cept this mission what instru^'tions do 
you furnish me? What definite proposals do you submit to these 
people? I must cai-ry proposals that show fairness and sin -er'ty. 
Suppose Deacon, you draft the proposition for a settlement. 

Deacon G : 

All right. Squire, heie is what we submit. ( tie ads from a 
paper) 

Terms:- -It is hereby agreed to restore the 
ten per cont reduction of wages and to insure 
steady work fo)- the next six months, provided 
the workn^en shall agree to the ten hour sys- 
tem for vhe remainder of the yeai-. 

Goldsmith, Gkab-all. & Co. 

You see we restore the ten per cent reduction provided the men 
return immediately to work, and under the ten hour system, and 
provided they agree to bind themselves during the remainder of 
the year. 



34 DEACON GEAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN. 

Needham : 

Then geutlemen, if this is agreeable, I shall goat ouee aijdsee 
tne leader of the strikers and try to arraug-e matters satisfactor- 
ily. Shall I report here? 

Deacon G : 

Yes, we will wait here for the result of your conference. Who 
is the leader of this present strike. Squire? 

Needham : 

I don't know that he is the instigator, but he is the chief 
spirit among them and they abide his decision ; I mean Nathan 
Biown. 

Deacon G : 

That old cuss will never agree to anything I propose; but 

then you can try it, 

itJxit the Squire) 

Gold.smith : 

Oiab-all, that fellow Needhaoi is a dangerous fellow; he is 
shrewd and cunning, and I suspect his loyaltj'. Hs is in sym- 
pathy with these blatant strikers. I think we ought to elect 
another attorney for our company. 

Deacon G : 

I think you do the Squire injustice Colonel, he is not cunning 
or disloyal ; the fact is he is too confounded loyal and honest, that 
is what is the matter; he is a straight-forward, true fellow, but 
withall a fool in one sense. He will work for these people with- 
out fee or reward; defend them in the courts for nothing, help 
them out of their troubles, and all for a "thank you. ' But he is 
terribly popular, and I wouldn't be surprised Colonel, if they put 
him up against you for congress. (Sound of a belt in the dining- 
hail). There Colonel, I heai" a welcome sound, let's repair to the 
dining hall and partake of some refreshments; we can there dis- 
cuss further the question over our wine, and bv the time we have 
digested the viands as well as the subje-.-t the Squire will return 
and report 

(rotdsmith : 

All right, Doacou, a little replenishing of the inner ma?i, will 
not be ob.ie<'tional)le. Does the parson like your wine? 

Deacon G : 

He only takeb it in Homeopathic doses, and f(U- his stomach's 



DEACON GKAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN. 85 

s;ake, and othei' inttrmities. 

{2'hey retire] 

ACT II ; SCENE II. 

(At Nathan Brown's house. Brown and family, with friends, dis- 
cussing the strike). 

Foreman : 

But, Mr. BrowD. the ineii are very much aroused by this last 
reduction of their wages. Some of them have actually made 
threats against the property of Dv^acon Grab-all and Col. (jold- 
smith. 

Brown : 

That is all wrong. We must not resort to brute for -e. W r 
are not anarchists, we nmzt carry our point by an appeal to 
reason, to t'onsuience, and not resort to physical means. 

Foreman : 

How long do you expect a set of starving men, are going to 
wait? I tell you, they are right now i-eady to do some terrible 
vvoi-k and I can't blame them much, and you need not be sur- 
piised if some of the imruly ones carry out their threats, and it 
may be this very night. 

(Knock on the door). 

Brown, to his daughter: 

Admit who ever that is at the door. 

[Enter ISquire Needham.) 
Wh\', how do you do, Squire, glad to see you, eoine right in and 
be at home among us, I l)elleve vou are acquainted with every 
body. 

Needham : 

Oh, yes, thank you. but I have not k>ng to remain, I have 
come on a special mission, in fact I have been appointed a com- 
mittee of one to confei- with you about the strike. 

Brown : 

Do you come from Grab-ali. Goldsmith & Co? 

Neadttam : 

Yes, directly from them, and with a definite proposition, and 
[ thinK we can arrange matte? s satisfactorily. 



36 DEACON GKAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN. 

Br own : 

Well, Squire, 1 -dii speak for the luen, and say that they will 
aivetd to any proposition that is fair, that will enable them to 
niake an honest living. If these capitalists just understood us 
there would be no trouble. Of course we want terms just and 
honoi-able. What terms do you propose, Squire? 

(He reads the terms). 
Brown : 

Ibeliev(^ the men will agree to these terms, I will send them 
word. The foreman here of t^e factor^' crowd can ^o and tell the 
men we have agreed upon terms, and that all hands shall go to 
work in the morning. 

foreman : 

Yes sir. I will not be slow to spread the news, and I thinu 

everythiLg will be all right '.f we can just control two or three of 

the worst i.nes. 

[h'xit Foreman). 

Needham : 

Thank you, Mr. Brown, I shall be proud to repeat this to the 
gentlemen, who deputized me on this mission. 

Madam Brown : 

My husband is always ready to do what is right, and the men 
who selected him to be the head and adviser in this matter never 
did a wiser thing. I think the men ought to accept the proposi- 
tion and be thankful too. These are terribly hard times, and we 
should not expect things to be as they used to be. By the way, I 
received a letter from Julius to-day, he says everybody is talking 
about hard times in Boston, and prophesying dark days ahead. 
But he seems v-heerful enough, and actually wanted me to give 
him some definite information about the Deacon's pretty daugh- 
ter. What do you think of that, Mr Needham, for Julius? 

N^eedham : 

I think Julius has an eye for the beautiful, and has the 
Deacon's daughter in his eye. There is no telling what may hap- 
pen some of these days. But I must be going and make my 
report. 

{ h'xit Needham). 

Brown ; 

That Needham is an awful clever fellow, Nora, your mother 
talks about Julius and the Deacon's gal ; but let me tell you pet, 



]>EA('(»N G1{AB-ALL vs. \A IHAN HK()\V\. ;j7 

iIk'Iv is 111.' fluip for in. , and lit' v'o,.|<| hiak'- I t.iilly soii-iii-law, 
old woinnii ! 

' Sora luriiM away hfushunf) 

Mailiini B : 

Why, Nattiaii, .\'..ii <.iit;M! to lu- asli;iiii"<i. Noia is iinlliing hui 
a cluld y.'t. 

Brown : 

How old w.'iv you. \lar\', wU.mi xou •■•luiuitt.'d your d.'st iiiy 
to th<' keeping of Nat ban Div»\viL..dr.-' .Just a fi'w inou: ))s youn^«M 
Ihanouf Xora her.^ I i-«' -jm^EBfr \v^j«ui yu r.'st.'d in ni\- Ix.som 
like a scsircd rabbit cSuU told nic you vv.m>' mine h-.-nt'eforth and 
for.'X'pr. Oh, ohl ^ii'l, those wer»' happ;,' old da\'s, and their niein- 
oi'v is sweet to nx' \"i . I>ui sav. IMaiy. iio'ft- is X-)ra «:ett';u^r on 
studying piano l.-ssons u[) m' old Mrs. N.'.'dliatu"s. 

Madam 1> : 

Nilhan. who told >'ou N'oim wa- 'akin.i; lessons ...t Mrs N.'ed- 
ham's. 

S'ora : 

\o!>od>- told papa, iriaina, he i.-. just t r\inii: lo find out soin.'- 
thing; h." is always ^iK'Ssing Miings. an<i n.v.rlv alwax's misses 

too. 

Hroini : 

Ha; ha; nia\-be-so. l.ut !i'.! :hi.s tiim-. You aul fool \'oui' 
old i)a!)a, Nora. \on noj- y(«ur iear mother -'ille-r You are a 
team. Hut 1 wish vou would ;.'! in.' h.'ar \'ou sing. You and 
your moi her sing for tn.- 

Sara : 

Wluil kind of a song papa, .Jo you want V S- )Uiet.hing seati- 
m.-nlal wouldn't sint \'ou papa, wouM if-' 

Madam B : 

Nora, suppos.' y.^u sing tiuii soug th.' S.pnr^' wrot.- f.>r you. 

Brown : 

Ah. Well th"' Squirt' wrote you a song did li.'y This is first 
rate, getting along bully: I think I wr >t.' a song or two for Mary 
in days gone by. OidnM I Maiy? 

Madam B: 

Y«?s, and we used t<» sing th.'Ui togeth.-r to<^ when we would 
want t«» get sentimental. But this is not a s.'ntim.'Utal song that 



^is DEACON GKAB-ALL vs. XATHAN BROWN. 

he wr(.)te t'oi' Nora. It is a sou^ fnr the poor workiii^iueu. Now 
Nora, I will help you and we will siuff It toyrether. I think it is 
rharmiu^. 

Nora : 

But niaiiia f ;'au't sing before papa. 

Brown : 

•Tut. tut. why I rui^ht joiu in the chorus myself, ^o ahead and 
let us hav<» it. 

{They sing the folloiringi 

THE LABOR SONG, 

"Twas in my dreams I heard a sou^ — 

O, shall I hear it sung ag-aiuV 
It was a tale ot grief and wrony— 

The poor man's prayer and plaintive song. 
And sung hv broken-hearted men. 

C'HOIiUS. 

But, Oh, ye weary sons ot men,- 
Still hope and trust, and sing and pray: 

We may not know the how or when. 
But soon to you there'll come again. 

A brighter, sweete)-, gladsome day. 

1 saw them clasp each othei''s hand ; 

I heard their oath, their pledge and prayer. 
That for each other they would stand. 

Be ti'ue to home and native laud. 
And one anothei-'s sorrows shaiv. Chokus. 

For faithful wives and mothers dear ; 

For hungry babes, they sung their prayer : 
There trembled in each eye a tear— 

O, (iod, how pitiful to hear - 
This echo of their deep despair. Chokus. 

My dream was ended, still I slept 

And heard the euho of that song, 
And saw these brave men as they wept 

Repeating vows that they had kept 
i'o help to right the cruel wrong. Chortts, 

Oh, was this but a dream indeed? 

I would to God 'twas nothing moie 
But all around is human need 

And everywhere there's hearts that bleed, 
(lod save the rich and help the poor. Chorus. 

{As the}/ sing the chor'ii,^ at the conclusion, aery of fire ia heard — 
alarm belln, great confusion, etc.) 



1)EA(M)N GRAB-ALL vs. NATHAN BROWN. :^9 

Brown, 

"Run, run, the shops anl ftu^torirs an^ on tire, everything will 
be destroyed ! M s- God ! why could not the men have waited ! 
Poor wretches, they, themselves will be the sufferers!" 
[bJnierH in haste the Deacon, and the Sijaire. thf, beacon shouting.) 

Deacon Oraball, 

"I am a ruined man ! All I have is bein^ burned uo ; ail my 
bonds; all my becurites; everything I have on earth is yonder in 
that burning building I am a pauper to night The men would 
not listen to our proposals, now all is lost!" 

Mr».B • 

Deacon Graball, it must: be the work of some b xiy else besideb 
the poor strikers for my husband had forbidden them to do any- 
thing of the sort ; it is some dastardly coward who has never 
made an honest living— what ought to be done wiih such pepble, 
any how. Oh, what dreadful times these are; but Deacon, tnere 
is a good Providence who rules everything for the best and 1 know 
you are a Christian man. and can find comf )it in your religion." 

Deacon G. 

"Poor times now. Madam, to be getting lomfort out of religion 
when, everything I've got in the world is being destroyed. What 
shall I do? Where is your husband? 

Mrs. B, 

He has gone to tne lire.- He will tiy and save youi- property, 
I know he will get the men to help him " 

Deacon Graball, 

"But all is lost, -lam a pauper,-! see it now No longer than 
to day my daughter told me she had a dream and saw all our 
property burn up and saw us poor and despised and beggintr 
bread, like tramps. What makes folks n.ave dreams anyhow? I 
must go and see about my property. Good God ! I am ruined, a 
pauper, a beggar " 

Mrs. B 

Come, Nora, we will go and help, -this is dreadful; there come.s 
the Squire. Nora, you go with him ! I wall look after Nathan ; he 
might forget himself and go into the burning ouilding and be 
killed . 



40 DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN. 



Squire Needham, 

This is dreadful, but we can't help it. it may be a just retribution. 
There <'onies a orowd of men. 

Nora : 

How dreadful; but Mr. Needham, the poor starved working 
men were driven to desperation. Heaven help us all. 
{Curtain drops, end of scene and act 2nd.i 



DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN. 41 

Aet Third, Scene First. 

{Deacun (irabaU'x little coitage. Ht is poor, broken in spirit and in 
purse. Deacon reeling on a lounge,— enter Squire Needham ) 
{Several years have passed.) 

Deacon Uraball: 

"Why Vjless me, come in Squire, 1 did uot kuow you at first, 
-please excuse me for U'jt rising, I am quite ailiug of late, can 
hardly walk. Be seate'i, 

Squire Needham : 

Yes, Deacon, I am ^lad to see you. It Lims been several years 
since we met, and I snould hardly have known you, but I hope 
you will soon ^et better,— I have never ceased to remembei- your 
^reat kindness in the i);ist, and shall ever be grateful. 

Deacon G : 

Well, Squire, things are mighty different now from what they 
used to be, here I am a poor old forsaken man living on the 
chaiity of a friend. My surrv)uudings are quite different now than 
when you used to see me. Squire 

Squire Needham : 

But Dea on, we all have our tricils,- our ups and downs, ^an\' 
how. you have the advantage of us poor sinners,— you are a ^o<>d 
church man, and can find a {ousolation in your creed. 

Deaco)i (i : 

We will not discuss that. Squire; but I can tell you the Chris- 
tian's creed is all right provided his life tall ys with his creed; but 
let me tell you, precious few live up to their creed I am a Chris- 
tian still, but not much on the creed busines^^, It won't do. But 
Squire, I have paid for my cussedness.— if sorrow and suffering 
counts for anything, I have not only lost all my property,— and 
am a pauper as you see me but, I have lost all m\- happiness. 
My dear wife never recovered trom the shock of the great tire, 
and died two weeks afterwards, My only daughter Maggie left 
home, Gt>d only knows where, and to day may be dead or living 
in shame and disgrace. Oh, Sii, I have drank to t!ie bottom the 
dregs of life's bitter cup. 

Squire Needham : 

You must not feel so despondent and look on the dark side oj 
lite. While life lasts there is hope I have come to tell you some 



42 DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN. 

goiid news, If you vvill hear it. 

Deacon G : 

Tell 111^ some good newsy Well lets hear it,— God knows I 
have not heard anj'-thing cheering in a long time If you have 
anything of this 'haracter I will bless your coming, sure. 

bquire Aseedham : 

Well, I have a message from Mr. Nathan Brown, he desires 
you to come out West and spend your days with him. 

Deacon G: 

Nathan Brown ! Why. where is he, and what is he doing? 
Tell me about the old codger? 

:Squire jV : 

Well, Sir, Brown is living out West in one of our flourishing 
(dties, and doing an immense business. He is a wholesale boot 
and shoe merchant,— one of the largest leather manufacturers in 
the country. 

Daacon (V : 

Still sticking to the leather business. Hurrah for Brown 
But he will be a leather njan. 

Squire A' : 

And that Son Julius of his is my partner,— practicing law. 
He is attorney for one or two large corperations. He is making 
his mark, too. 

Deacon U : 

rhat always was a smart boy ; but he inherits it from his 
mother. Do you know his mother came from mighty good stock. 
I used to clerk for her old daddy in Baltimore, She married old 
Brown out of pure spit^ and cussedness, 

ISquire A" : 

How was that. Deacon? 

Deacon G : 

Well Brown was a pretty good looking sort of a fellow, but 
a common cobbler, and one day she came to his shop to get him 
to make her a pair of shoes. She was still in her teens. Brown 
irieasurea her foot and made her the shoes and somehow, from 
that, the thing started,— and there sprung up an affection be 
tween the two, Mary's parents raised (^ain and the old man for- 



DEACON GRAB-ALL vs. NATHAN BROWN. 48 



bade Brown from evea u-)ti ing his dau«rtiter ou the streets. Any 
how they ran away and ^ot married, Her parents never did 
forgive her, and the old man made his will and cut her off with a 
shilling. 

Squire N: 

But she stu;-k to hiiii anyhow. 

Deacon G; 

Stuck to him! I should say she did, She is made of that 
kind of stuff',— she would have stuck to him if he had been as poor 
and triiffng as a tramp But Mary had one brother that never 
went baok on her. He •vas and "old bachelor lawyer in Boston. 
He W'ls a downright g»)od fellow too. and he it was who educated 
Mary's boy, Julius . 

Squire A": 

Deacon I see you still stick to the idea that there is much in 
blood,— that aribtocrati*' idea of yours. 

Ueaco n G : 

And who don't? Blood will tell anywhere. Thert^ is mu-h in 
a stock of folks as there is in a stock of horses. Take an old 
common plug dra.v horse, blanket him, pamper him. curry him, 
put him in a stall, linod with cattcm and air tight, and he is the 
same old plug, a common old drag. Fake .i blooded Morgan- 
hitch him to a cart, put him in a rail pen for a stable, without a 
blanket^, and yet he will'cirry his head and tail up, lilie a prince. 
It is in him,— born in him and you can't gtt it out, any more than 
you can,.put it in. So it is with folks,— blood will tell ; and if it is 
not in them, you can't put it in them. Brown's wife was bloode i 
stock,— and there is where his children get that spunk, and high 
headedness from 

Squire X: 

But D VIC )n, I yt in '. by t ) se3 you e^^^ueoially tof our old friend 

Nathan Br jwn. H ? d 53ir>s ii )st sinc.n-cly that y.)U come out 

West and spend the rest of your life with him. He has succ«^eded 

in life,— worth sev<»ral hundred thousand dollars,— and he wants 

you to come and share his success. Here is his letter, by the 

way 

(Hands the Deacon a lettt^r.) 



4[ DEACONGRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BEOWN. 

Deacon G : 

You ueail it Squire, my evHsig-hr is l.»;',d, and I have not got my 
ypecta les handy. 

[^guirt' y : reads as follows.) 

My dear Deacon; --Mr. Ncedhani goea East on 
a business trip and will stop over on his way to see 
you. I send this to vou by him. 1 would be ^lad 
if you would arrang-e to eome and see me. I have 
a big- surprise for you when you come. I will not 
teU it yet, I want to give you a happy surprise. 
Please arrange and •••ume as soon as possible, 
Mary is anxious to see you too. Let me know 
wheu you can come. Yours cVC. Nathan Brown. 

P. S. Enclosed is a che.-k for S25 '■. 

Deacon G : 

Don't this beat anything vou ever heard of. Why Squire. I 
am going-^T) see Brown anyhow, for Mary's saiie 1 will ^;tart 
next week. 

Squire N: 

All-right, Deaeon, I am glad you ai>'. I will be back by that 
time, and you will have a royal welcome I kaow, i must bid vou 
good bye as my train leaves in half an hour. 

[They shake hands.] Well, Deacon, I will see 
you again soon. 

Deacon G : 

Yes if not;iing happens, Good-bye,. I will write to Brown to 
day. I will go righ*: n >w with you to the Post Office and mail 
him a letter. 

[hJxit both.) I 

ACT III;S:ENE II 

{On the Htreei, Deacon ijraball looking for the^usmess place of 
Nathan Brown.) ^B 

Deacon G : 

I ought to have telegraphed Brown what train I was coming 
on so he would l|ave met me at the depot. But I guess I can llnd 
his place of business. Gracious, this is a pretty big tjwn, and i* 
Brown is one of the big merch vnts in such a place as this, he must 
have made a big succe.ss I But it is that wife of his 1,11 warrant. 
( As he is going along, Brown and /Ae Deacon meet.) 

Bi<iwn. 

W(;ll. well, De.icjn, how ;ire youV Wh^n did you tome? Why 



DEACON GRAB-ALL vs. NATHAN BEOWN. 45 

(lidD't you tele^rap.: what tram? Julius wt'nt to the West bouud 
train this uioiuiD^ to meet you, but he said you rever (•iiie (ai 
that. But auyhow, I am y:lad to see you Deacon, and many times 
welcome you are to inv h-me. 

Deacon G : 

Why Brown, I should never have known you m the world, 
you have chanH:ed mightily,— actually look youu«-er than you did 
five or ten years ago. I g-uess I look a s'ore of years older. 

Brown : 

N<>, Deacon, I le-oguized you a bio k away up the street,— 
you look like > ou did in the olden tim<%— a little bn ken but about 
the same. 

Deacon (J : 

Ah, no. Brown, I am not the same as when you knew me: I 
am all broken up. 1 am a pjor, desolate, old man. But then, I 
suppose it is all ri^ht. I am not halt so bad off as thousands ot 
poor men who an^ bettei' than I am. Brown, do you }:now that 
nothing is truer than the old doctrine; I treated my poor men 
wnmar,— I am reaping- the consequence but 1 must not complain 

Brow I. : 

Oh, well. Deacon, that is all iu the pdst,--you are here now 
and we will s(>e better days. Mary and the rest of the family are 
at home waitiui? to welcome you, I promise a surprise for you, 
-just wait until we get home and if I di)n't fulfill my promise' 
you can ta^ie my whole business, lock, stock, and barrel an<i mak»^ 
leather out of my old hide. We will take this cable cjir and go 
and see Mary and the rest of the family. Cv)me this away; the 
car goes in half a block of my house 

{h^xit bolh arm in arm.) 

A: T III; SJENE III. 

{Ai Brow)iH house; enter Brown andtha ^eacoa. 
Madam B: 

Why, Deacon, liow glad we all are to see you VVhtit a lot of 
things wc will have to talk al)Out. 

Deacon : 

Yes, and it will take a year to tell half the story, 

(hJnttr» (he Deacon's lost daughter, followed by Julius i 

Maggie: 

O. here i.^ P;ipa, my dear Papa. 

[Hugs and kisses him.) 



DEACON GRAB-ALL vs. NATHAN BROWN. 

r Deacon (iraball: 

WhfKl isall this? Is this you, Ma^gfie? Heaven be praised, 
how is it? Am I dreamiugfV Is it y( u Maggie, sure enough? 
{Caresnea hi a daughrer ) 

Maggie : 

Yes, Papa, it is me, and this is you, dear Papa. How giad I 
am to see you! Paua, this is mv husband, ^this is Julius. You 
know Julius, don't you? 

Deacun G : 

Brown, is this all leal? Am I not dreaming? Here are these 
children, Maggie and Julius, Well how comes it so. I won't 
stop now to ask but it is so much lilce a dream. No it is i-eal. 

Brown : 

I toJd you I had a surprise lor you Deacon, HaventI fultilled 

' my promise? I may have another surprise' before J am done. 

f 

Deacon (i : ' » 

^ Well, I am piepared now tor anythiijg,^I feel like 1 am walk- 

ing in mv sleep 

I 

Q Madam Biowu : 

Maggie, where is the baby? Bring that out, heie is a new 

t (irand Pa. 

^Deacon Uraball looking amazed and startled ) 
Maggie : 

a Yi'ts, I forgot the little darling. 

i (Lm'o andgets tfn^ babyJ Here papa, here is 

our little swet^t, what do you thiuk of it. 

ii) caam G. tuken baby.) 

J Deacon G ; 

'( Maggif^ is it a boy oi- a girl? I can't tell at this stage of the 

^ game. 

Maggie : 
1 It is a girJ, Papa, and ju.st like Mama. Julius wanted a boy 

[c but I wauted a girl Just like this one,— just like dear Mama, 

^ Julius : 

^ Now Maggie I never said I wauted a box", I wanted a ,• if 1 who 

would look like hor mother. Ha: ha: 

' Deacon G : 

What is the name of the .\'oungster? 



DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN. 47 

Maggie : 

We uamcd Inn- for Mama, call lior Alice and see if sIk- don't 
know her name. 

iThe Deacon doefi not call lk<t name, but with a tear and a sigh says 
to Maggie, i 

Deacon Ci : 

No Ma^g-ie I can't. <:all that i]am<^ vet, wait one of these d lys, 
when I g-et used to al' these strange happenings. It is too minii 
now, h^t nie kiss tiie darling, and then, but we will wait. Biy)\vn» 
this is too niu-;h Joy for me all at once. Heav^•n be praised for it 
all 

Brown :. 

I tiave arranged foi' this and we are to hav(^ a celcbiatiMn. I 
have ordered the refi'eshnients, and the music, and w(^ will duly 
eelebrat<* thisjoyous o ---asion. Here couk's the Squire. l)eae(>n.' 
and my daughter Noia, — his wife. 

(Deacon and ^Squire gree.tff t-ach othiT.) 
Squire \: 

How do you d(\ Dea-'on, and a joyous weh^ome to oui- home 

Heie is my wife Mis. Needham, formerly Miss Nora Brown. Vou 

perhaps have not for^rottc^M her. 

Heacon (i : 

Well, well, isn't this passin;^ strange! Miss Noia, you and IIk^ 
Squire marri<Kl, t<H\ lik<^ Julius and Maggi<»V Ha :ha: where is 
your baby? Is it a boy or a yrlrl? 

Hrown : 

Deacon, \'ou aie too [jr(ndous, -don't you see hoAV they ai'e 
blushing? Thoy ;ire still enjoying the honeymoon,— just got 
back from their bridal toiu", but then, you are very natural in 
your surmises. But we must have the celebration. Maggi<» you 
and Nora bring in the refreshments.— bring in that win<^ for the 
Deacon. This the kind, of wine he used to ha ve in the olden times. 
You boys can dri UK water; vou know you a^e teujperance folks 
liere; but the Deacon and I foi" old times sake will take a little of 
the stronger element. 

(The ladies bring in the wine and cake.) 

Squire Needham : 

Well. Deacon, you didn't think that things would turn out 
tins way, when I used to be your attorney in old Alabama? 



48 DEACON GRAB-ALL VS. NATHAN BROWN. 

Deacon U : 

No, but wb.) ran tell wLiat is goiug- to happen? Squire, I al- 
ways did know you would come oui all right Any how I had to 
hank on you, it you did now and then go back on me. But it is 
all right: and to night I am proud to be here, and thank a kind 
Heaven for bringing things around this way. 

Brown : 

Now D(^acon, \vc are going to hav<? ;i boug and a danc(3 in 
houor of this o\-ent. if youi' reli)ri,:iv ■ v ,n -^ill not forlti<i. 
What say you? 

Den con G : 

I am for a song or a dance, or anything else. This is more 
religion than I've enjoyed for twenty-five years. Yes, bring on 
the music, and let us have a good time in honoi- of this gi-an( 
o'-casion. 

{MuHichi'gins, first a dance, —an old fashion cotillion, -then a song 
irith a dance concludes tht performance.) 

THE SONG. 



"We meet to night,— our hearts are light, 
To till the hours with pleasui-e; 

Let cares taKe wing, -now while we sing, 
And step to music s measure. 

2. 
Tli'u here's good cheer.— but not a tear. 

Of vain regret or ; orrow. 
Ma.\- hearts beat light nnd eyes be bright. 

J II looking for the morrow. 

:^. 
H<*re sto our joy, without alloy,— 

And not one dreauj of sadjiess; 
We'll spe^l the lime with measured iln'me 

And to a song of gladness. 

4. 
Then h^t's forget each wild regret 

And hury all our sorrow! ; 
May hearts beat light and eyes be l>right 

In looking for the morrow. 



THE END. 



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